MADRID, Spain.- Mayelín Rodríguez Prado (alias La Chamaca), the Cuban woman who broadcast live the popular protests that took place on August 19 and 20, 2022 in Nuevitas, due to blackouts of up to 18 hours, still imprisoned in the provincial State Security headquarters, known as Villa María Luisa.
Accused of the crime of public disorder, Rodríguez Prado, 21, is under a criminal investigation process, confirmed to Radio Television Marti her grandmother, Belkis Mendez.
“She is still in custody. It’s been like 17 days. She is being held in custody, but she is still under investigation. They have not given us anything in particular, they have not told us when the trial will be, or if she is going to be released, or with a fine. We are desperate”, said the lady.
Méndez indicated that he will visit her this Monday, but that the authorities only grant him 10 minutes.
“No one remembers her anymore. The people for whom she manifested herself, because she, thank God, has never lacked for anything; but she did it for her people and nowadays nobody remembers her, at least here in Cuba”, said the grandmother.
After the demonstrations in Nuevitas, the regime unleashed a strong police operation and since then it has not stopped the arrests and violence against residents of that town.
A few days after the demonstrations, the organization for the defense of Human Rights Article 19 asked the Cuban government to stop the operations of the security forces as a mechanism of inhibition and repression of the population.
The US Embassy in Havana also denounced the regime’s repression against the protesters.
“The Government of Cuba responded to a second night of demonstrations in Nuevitas by detaining and assaulting peaceful demonstrators. This repression will not stop their legitimate protests against the repression and the continuous blackouts,” tweeted the United States diplomatic headquarters in Cuba.
This Wednesday the Justice 11J Working Group reported five new arrests in Nuevitas, including that of the 26-year-old Jimmy Johnson, who was arrested when he returned from an electroencephalogram for an epileptic episode. The young man was accused of alleged damage to a store
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